With honesty comes the security to trust each other. In turn, trust allows us to enter the state of vulnerability that creates intimate space in a romantic relationship. Somewhere deep inside of all of us, we cherish this connection.

A just-published study begs us to reconsider our stereotypes of the poor, pathetic, miserable and lonely single people.

Rather than place all of my romantic needs and desires onto one partner, I've learned to recognize romantic sparks in my friendships, my work, my physical activities and more.

What self-efficiency means is that we get into a relationship not because of neediness or fear of loneliness. It is more of a sense of finding more joy rather than filling up some empty hole.

There was little comfort in being a Gold Star Wife. My little girl needed me. And I needed to convince myself that I could be mother, father, big sister and protector of her future.

Today, I challenge the notion that powerful, ambitious women can't discover happiness with a partner. I believe they are out there.

I've invited some of the young women who are leading the next generation to share their stories and definitions of what a contemporary woman can and should expect from her partner.

To be single at heart, I think, means that you see yourself as single. Your life may or may not include the occasional romantic relationship, but you don't aspire to live as part of a couple for the long term.

There's something troubling about the use of the word "relationship" that excludes all relationships but romantic ones. All other adult relationships aren't just excluded in the wording; they're absent from the studies.

New York Times reporter John Tierney recently described a study that supposedly showed that "single women are particularly drawn to other people's partners." But his interpretation is not supported by relevant data.